Interferon (IFN) is effective in only a limited number of
patients iwth the 1b type of hepatitis C virus (HCV) indicating
that a combination therapy with other antiviral drugs may be
essential to obtain betterr results. We have reported that an
antibacterial drug, ofloxacin (OFLX) may be effective for HCV
infection. In the present study, the effects of a combination
therapy with IFN and OFLX were analyzed by a multicenter randomized
trial. Over 6 million units of various types o fIFN with 600 mg of
OFLX per day were given to 62 patients with a chronic type C
hepatitis in 8 different hospitals. The schedule of the combinatio
therapy was categorized into 3 types. In 33 patients who have no
IFN therapy previously, IFN was given daily for 2-3 weeks and then
3 times for 21-22 weeks. OFLX was given for 12 weeks from the 8th
week of IFN treatment (regular group I). In 10 patients who did not
respond well to IFN alone treatment for more than 12 weeks, OFLX
was given with IFN for more than 12 weeks (additional treatment,
group II). In 14 patients who were non-responders to IFN alone
treatment for 24 weeks, combination therapy was conducted in the
same schedule for group I (re-treatment, group III). In group I, 16
out of 25 patients with HCV-1b were responders who continued normal
AST levels for 6 months after ceasing treatment. Eight patients
with other HCV subtypes, were all responders. In group II,
responder was found in 5 out 8 patients with HCV-1b and 1 out of 2
patients with other subtypes. In group III, responders were found
in 4 out of 9 patients with HCV-1b and in all four patienst with
other subtypes. The incidence of responders was higher than in
previously reported valued with IFN-alone treatment. Severe side
effect was found only 2 patients. These results suggest that a
combination therapy with IFN and OFLX is an effective treatmetn for
chronic type C hepatitis.